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Life’s Stains and Odors: Biz

This is a sponsored post. As always, opinions are my own.

It is almost July and summer is here!  It seems that this summer (2021) people are really looking to get out and do all the things that they were not able to do a year ago, at the height of the Covid -19 pandemic.  I know for myself, my family, and mostly everyone I know, it was a summer when we basically all stayed home. 

This year, we are starting to travel again, and I am not an exception.  Tomorrow (yes, tomorrow!), my husband and I leave for California, to see family that we have not seen for over a year.  It is such a treat!  But with travelling comes packing, and with packing comes the realization that some of the clothes that we were waiting to have an occasion to wear for so long have stains (and perhaps odors) that we need to get rid of, and fast.

Getting ready to travel!

This year I started using enzyme cleaners and washes for my clothes and items that I care about.  There is nothing better to do the job than an enzyme cleaner.  Enzyme cleaners are natural and do not contain all those harsh chemicals that you typically find in other washes.  This time around, as I was doing cleaning (and a lot of it) to prepare for my upcoming trip, and also to prepare to receive guests in my house, I came across clothes that had been put away a little bit too long, needed a serious wash, and some of them (like the shirt below), that were bordering on the yellow.

Rather than wash them these clothes over and over again or subject them to harsh chemicals, I used Biz Powder to treat them, and voila!  Clothes look and smell clean!

I saved this lovely shirt!

If you are looking for a better way to wash, that will work with nature rather than against it, choose the one without the harsh chemicals.  Biz (I used Biz Powder, but there are other products) is an excellent way to make sure that your detergent does it job by adding enzymes that treat all those pesky stains and combat odors to boot.

If you are a busy mom or dad and are looking to counteract all those messy messes that your children leave behind, then this is the cleaner for you.  Go get one and try it!  Let me know how you liked it!

Happy washing!

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The OxiClean Stain Pen

This is a sponsored post. As always, opinions are my own.

One of my fears when I go out to work for the day is that I will have a huge stain on my clothes that I won’t be able to remove.  Trust me, it has happened to me on more than one occasion. As a busy children’s therapist, I tend to eat in my car, in a tiny space, sometimes munching on something while I’m driving.

I typically hear the same complaint when I visit a home.  Many moms and dads spend a lot of time doing laundry, washing their little one’s clothes only to wash them over and over again.  And even though children, especially toddlers, can get into big messes, sometimes parents end up washing clothes just for a little stain! 

Does this ever happen to you?  It happens to me a lot.  I can’t tolerate “little” stains on my clothes, and they usually end up in the laundry, even after having been worn a couple of hours.  I have tried other stain pens and sticks before, even from reputable brands, but I have to say the OxiClean Stain Pen really did the trick for me when we went to Boston.  It was a short trip and I only brought one pair of jeans.  I love this pair of pants because they are super comfortable and fit me exactly right.

Was I surprised when I took off my pants after a restaurant visit and saw a stain there!  I was planning to wear them the next day, as they are so comfortable, and we had an entire day planned, touring and visiting various sites in the city of Boston.  I didn’t want to wear anything formal but I didn’t want to wear yoga pants either.  This pair of jeans was perfect. 

Luckily, I had my OxiClean Stain Pen!  I used it to remove the stain (I basically saw it disappear in front of my eyes) and let it dry.  This was late at night and by the morning my pants were absolutely clean.  The stain was gone!

The OxiClean Stain Pen is always in my purse!

Today, I carry my OxiClean Stain Pen in my bag every day.  It is one more tool that helps me keep my clothes clean while on the go.  Are you a busy mom?  Are you usually on the go?  I recommend the OxiClean Stain Pen for you today!

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Arm & Hammer Fruit and Vegetable Wash: Review

This is a sponsored post. Opinions, as always, are my own.

Is it just me or does it feel like “not enough” when you wash your vegetables?  I typically let water run on them, make sure that I check for any places where any dirt can hide, let them dry, pat them dry, cook them thoroughly to make sure that I didn’t miss anything.

But if the past year taught us anything is that we can’t be too careful when it comes to washing surfaces, which many times includes food.  A few years ago, I worked with someone who was extremely sick from eating vegetables without properly washing them.  He was in the hospital for a few days until the doctors could figure out what was wrong with him.  It turns out, he got sick from bacteria which, they thought, could have come from not properly washing food.

This was a few years ago, long before the age of Covid, and this situation helped me realize how important it is to keep our fruits and veggies clean.  I wash even those packages that claim “pre-washed” or “ready to eat.”  The issue here is not the washing, but what do we wash with?  I would typically just use water, as I said before, let the water run and do what it’s supposed to do.  But is this enough?

Enter Arm & Hammer Fruit and Vegetable Wash:  This is how your vegetables and fruits get washed properly.  I would not use anything but water on my food as I do not want to contaminate my food with harmful chemicals.  The Arm & Hammer Fruit and Vegetable Wash contains natural products that help eliminate pesticides, wax, and the pesky dirt that lives in your vegetables.

With this product, you can see the difference as soon as you wash your fruits and vegetables.  It is really that simple.  What about the taste?  You may ask.  I can assure you there is no taste residue.  Your fruits and vegetables will taste perfectly fine, better even, once you are done cleaning them with the Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash.

If you are looking to upgrade your washing technique when it comes to your produce, then you have to try this product.  It will put your mind at ease, making sure that you and your family, especially your little ones, are safe from unwanted pesticides and other chemicals.

Happy Washing!

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Fresh-Smelling Kitchen: Arm & Hammer

This is a sponsored post.

My work with families and children takes me to every one of my children’s homes, and even though I’m there for play therapy, I typically get very practical questions like how to clean children’s messes, or how to cook vegetables so that children find them appealing, or how to make the house smell better.  Young children tend to be quite messy and leave a trail of not-so-pleasant odors sometimes. 

Because of this, I am always on the quest for cleaning products as well as for products that make the house smell clean and pleasant.  I have tried many different things which I’ve shared with my families, and conversely, there are many products that they share with me whenever they find something that they like and is effective.

I have traded information on candles, incense, and now, the Arm & Hammer Garbage Disposal Cleaners which help keep your kitchen smelling fresh.  If you follow the instructions (run disposal and water for a minute, then turn off disposal and run water on a slow stream, then drop capsule into disposal and turn on for a few seconds), then you will have a fresh-smelling kitchen whose freshness will last for days. I know: We tried this in our own kitchen!

I really like getting home and being greeted by the citrus smell stemming from the kitchen.  Nobody likes getting home to unpleasant smells (right?).  My husband knows this and always prepares the house before I arrive so that it always smells pleasant.  One day, as I am approaching the kitchen, I noticed the citrus smell.  I knew that it was coming from the kitchen, but I couldn’t really tell from where exactly it was coming from.  As it turns out, he had used the Arm & Hammer Garbage Disposal Cleaners in the disposal.

What I noticed using this product was that the citrus smell that I really like stays in the air for a few minutes, but the unpleasant smells from the garbage disposal disappear for days, even weeks!  I has been a while since we started using the Arm & Hammer Garbage Disposal Cleaner balls and the bad smells have not returned!

Bottom line:  For busy moms and dads who are struggling with the day to day activities of taking care of their children, cooking, cleaning, AND keeping their homes smelling fresh, this is a simple and easy product, easy to use, that can save you lots of time around the kitchen. 

Next time you get home, and you are greeted by the fresh citrus smell from this Arm & Hammer product, you will thank me!

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Boston & Salem: Accessible Travel

Boston

I must admit that I am a fan of Boston.  I have loved American history since my school days (in Argentina!) and find it fascinating that I get to relive parts of it when I visit Boston.  Plus, who wouldn’t like such a vibrant, historic and progressive American city?  Now that states have begun to open up (and with Covid rates really low and vaccination rates high in Massachusetts), you could see tourists everywhere in Boston.  We were part of them.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a unique city as it tries to blend the old and the new.  It is here that we found it quite challenging to recommend navigating the city without a guide or someone who could point to all the “new roads” if you or your loved one has difficulty with motor skills.  There were certain areas that needed to remain untouched for historical reasons, and some of them were extremely difficult to navigate for those of us without physical disabilities.  They would be impossible to navigate for those who have motor difficulties.

If you are interested in travelling to Boston, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the historical sites, wonderful views of the Back Bay, and wonderful heritage of food.  Make sure that you have someone with you who can test the area and most of all, avoid the “old” area of town.  Stick to the new construction, which is all ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, and you should be able to absorb the beauty of this wonderful city.

The Public Gardens

Boston is a bustling city that is still a little quiet due to Covid, but could become quite crowded in the summer months.  If you or your loved one can become easily overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city, Boston offers a lot of different spots that can serve as oasis.  Those are some of the hidden parks, squares, and lots of restaurants and cafes that can offer you a moment to unwind, relax, and enjoy your surroundings little by little.  Make sure you include them in your itinerary and you should be able to avoid the noise of the crowds.

Salem

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is about a 45-minute drive from Boston, and a must-see if you like quirky, fun cities, that have something unique to offer.  We had a wonderful meal at Gulu Gulu café (lots of vegetarian and vegan options!), walked the pedestrian walkway, had hot chocolate at Kakawa Chocolate House, a must-visit if you love hot chocolate, and spent about 30 minutes doing the Witch Hunt Museum tour.

Gulu Gulu Cafe

Salem is an accessible city, with plenty of opportunities for people with limited mobility and motor difficulties to navigate and not have to miss a beat.  There is a lot of sensory stimulation around, from the colors, noises (music, cars, people, etc.), and the ambiance.  But there are lots of places to stop and relax.  If you have limited mobility, are easily scared, or have sensory issues, then perhaps skip then With Hunt Tour and walk the pedestrian walkway.  There are plenty of places to stop and take a few minutes to unwind.

Salem, Massachusetts

The Bottom Line

Visit Boston!  Visit Salem!  They are both fun and vibrant cities that are longing for tourists to return!  Just remember our advice:  Stay within the new sections in Boston, and if you want to visit the oldest and more historic areas, go with someone that can point the alternative routes.  Keep in mind that you may need to find a park or restaurant to sit down and have a bite to unwind.  You may have to do the same if you visit Salem, with fewer physical barriers if ambulating the city.  Most of all, enjoy yourself and have fun!